WORK AWAY!

Work away! For the Master's eye is on us, Never off us, still upon us, Night and day! Work away! Keep the busy fingers plying, Keep the ceaseless shuttles flying; See that never thread lie wrong; Let not clash or clatter round us, Sound of whirring wheels, confound us; Steady hand! let woof be strong And firm, that has to last so long! Work away! Keep upon the anvil ringing Stroke of hammer; on the gloom Set 'twixt cradle and 'twixt tomb Shower of fiery sparkles flinging; Keep the mighty furnace glowing; Keep the red ore hissing, flowing Swift within the ready mould; See that each one than the old Still be fitter, still be fairer For the servant's use, and rarer For the master to behold: Work away! Work away! For the Leader's eye is on us, Never off us, still upon us, Night and day! Wide the trackless prairies round us, Dark and unsunned woods surround us, Steep and savage mountains bound us; Far away Smile the soft savannas green, Rivers sweep and roll between: Work away! Bring your axes, woodmen true; Smite the forest till the blue Of Heaven's sunny eye looks through Every wild and tangled glade; Jungled swamp and thicket shade Give to day! O'er the torrents fling your bridges, Pioneers! Upon the ridges Widen, smooth the rocky stair— They that follow, far behind Coming after us, will find Surer, easier footing there; Heart to heart, and hand with hand, From the dawn to dusk o' day, Work away! Scouts upon the mountain's peak— Ye that see the Promised Land, Hearten us! for ye can speak Of the country ye have scanned, Far away! Work away! For the Father's eye is on us, Never off us, still upon us, Night and Day! Work and Pray! Pray! and Work will be completer; Work! and Prayer will be the sweeter; Love! and Prayer and Work the fleeter Will ascend upon their way! Fear not lest the busy finger Weave a net the soul to stay; Give her wings—she will not linger; Soaring to the source of day; Cleaving clouds that still divide us From the azure depths of rest, She will come again! beside us, With the sunshine on her breast, Sit, and sing to us, while quickest On their task the fingers move, While the outward din wars thickest, Songs that she hath learned above. Live in Future as in Present; Work for both while yet the day Is our own! for Lord and Peasant, Long and bright as summer's day, Cometh, yet more sure, more pleasant, Cometh soon our Holiday; Work away!